The Dalai Lama has urged restraint in a standoff with security forces
at a Tibetan Buddhist monastery in China, warning of "catastrophic
consequences" if the situation deteriorates.

"I urge both the monks and the lay Tibetans of the area not to do
anything that might be used as a pretext by the local authorities to
massively crack down on them," the exiled spiritual leader said in a
statement posted on his website Saturday.

Clashes erupted at the Kirti monastery in China's southwest Sichuan
province after a monk set himself on fire and died last month, according
to the International Campaign for Tibet, a New York-based rights group.

Police unleashed trained dogs on residents outside the monastery and
beat people when they tried to prevent forces from entering the compound
on Tuesday, the rights group said in a Wednesday statement.

"I am very concerned that this situation, if allowed to go on, may
become explosive with catastrophic consequences," the Dalai Lama said.

He also called on the international community to persuade the Chinese leadership to exercise restraint.

The statement said the monastery, housing 2,500 monks, was completely
surrounded by Chinese armed forces, who at one point prevented vital
food and other supplies from entering the compound.